godsoffortune: (Default)
The Far Shore Mods ([personal profile] godsoffortune) wrote in [community profile] thenearshore2018-08-17 02:23 am

August Training

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: January 6th, 2017
Where: Outside the Meeting Hall, the Far Shore / the Ryukyu Islands
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods and shinki



Gods and shinki arriving at heaven's meeting hall are, should they allow it, guided to the rear of the Meeting Hall, where a traditionally styled dojo and training ground have been made available for the day. The gods and shinki are free to take their time during this day to learn about the details of their new life from Amaterasu's shinki or from more experienced god and shinki volunteers.




Meeting Hall


God Training

    Newly arrived gods are escorted into a small meeting room, with tatami floors and a stage at the front of the room where the speaker stands. A minor deity is giving the speech, and none of the white-robed shinki enter. Paper and pens are provided to all the attendees as an unsubtle suggestion to take notes on the information they're given.

    The speaker delivers her welcome speech in the monotone of someone who's practiced it far too often. Hopefully no one's feeling sleepy! She adds that gods should be cautious of anyone on the Near Shore who might ask to use their shrines to visit the Heavens, and should instruct their shinki to be cautious as well. There is an unrecognized god who the Heavens believe to be attacking them. Newly arrived gods are encouraged to discuss the information with each other and ask questions of more experienced gods, as well as instructed to guide their new shinki appropriately. They are allowed to remain in the room as long as they wish, should they want to discuss questions with each other or with more experienced gods who are here to help out.


Shinki Training

    Various shinki in the white-and-gold of Amaterasu's hosuehold are stationed around the dojo, passing out informational pamphlets that have been freshly printed. They will be happy to answer any questions or instruct the newcomers in the use of the borderline. They also accompany their answers, or lessons, with an explanation of what is expected of a shinki and the importance of teamwork with other shinki and with gods. Shinki are encouraged to work together to practice what they've learned and discuss their perspectives. Each of the shinki is wearing a brightly-colored sticky name tag reading HELLO, MY NAME IS ________, and all of their names appear to end with the syllable "mei."

    A variety of weapons are available in the dojo for shinki and their gods to practice with, and a row of straw targets are set up along one wall. Outside, in an area carefully roped off with red ribbons, are six animated training dummies, also made of straw and dressed in plain cotton jackets and trousers. They will immediately engage anyone who enters the area marked with the ribbon, but will not pursue opponents outside it. A white-robed shinki nearby keeps a sharp eye on the animated dummies, and will intervene if anyone tries to destroy one. The white-robed shinki appears to be a particular expert in magic, and will occasionally offer to help out anyone who's practicing a spell more challenging than the Borderline, especially if they look quite lost. His nametag reads HELLO, MY NAME IS SABIMEI. (To interact with Sabimei, please comment on the "NPC REQUEST" thread below! If you prefer, you may also handwave his assistance or advice with your character learning spells.)


Physical Training

    Two of the white-robed shinki, whose nametags mark them as Toumei and Kimei, are standing off to one side of the training area near a pair of large, curtained tents. They each have an enormous wicker basket full of clean, folded beach towels, and a rack of what appear to be wetsuits and swimsuits in a variety of styles and sizes. Once suited and toweled, new and veteran residents of the Heavens alike will be handed a pretty white-and-gold cockade that can be pinned to their suit or tied around their wrist by its ribbons, and either Toumei or Kimei will escort them to a beautiful, but rocky, Near Shore beach. Tropical plants, palm trees and high grasses surround the area, and although the sounds of cars are audible from a road not too far away, the only sign of human presence on this beach is an ancient, rotting fishing boat pulled up well past the high tide mark.

    It's quite chilly, with a brisk sea breeze, but there's room to run up and down the beach, a net set up for beach volleyball, younger shinki building sand castles, and showers for the brave souls who venture into the water. The surf is impressive today, so swimmers will get the chance for some serious exercise. There's also the chance to climb through the wreck of the old fishing boat; inside, piles of old seaweed and drifting sand host curious crabs, and a curious explorer could even find treasure... although nothing more valuable than large seashells, old one-yen or five-yen coins, and bits of weathered sea glass.


Rest and Refreshments

    When sunset comes -- early, at this time of year -- the shinki bring giant picnic-sized bento boxes with five or seven layers of carefully packed foods, and pile wood for bonfires that leap with flames edged blue-green from the salt. The bento boxes contain a wide variety of traditional foods, many in the style of traditional New Year's dishes: sweet potato and chestnut, slivered carrot and burdock, whole fish, toasted mochi, sliced lotus root and more. A fireworks display starts over the ocean once full night falls, fountains and bursts in every color imaginable, some so ornate that it's hard to believe they're not helped along by a touch of magic. The display lasts half an hour.

    After the last fireworks, the shinki will guide everyone back to the Meeting Hall to return to their homes. The wind is getting chillier, and gods or shinki who stay too much past the firework display will notice the tiny, creeping forms of glowing ayakashi no larger than a fist, looking like little jellyfish on land. They don't seem hostile; instead, they're fixated on the boat, and will climb on it and settle onto the rigging and wood of the boat, chirping quietly to themselves and snuggling in so that the whole boat seems to glow with an unearthly blue-white light. They can be fought and defeated, but if attacked, will fight back: and be careful! Those jellyfish tentacles spread blight instead of stinging, and they're longer than they look.




In Summary:
  • Get all the information you can handle
  • Veteran new gods and shinki are welcome to volunteer showing the ropes
  • Get in some training at a beach (isn't it winter?!)
  • Relax and watch the fireworks
  • Have fun~
priforprince: (fragrant)

[personal profile] priforprince 2018-08-21 01:38 am (UTC)(link)
Hibiki nods, sipping at her own cup: good, the fireworks aren't too loud. A beautiful display is one thing, raucousness quite another. "The spirit of competition brought out many people's hidden talents. Filming should begin soon."

She can't film without a script. She has yet to produce anything resembling a script. And yet, here she sits, sipping her tea, absolutely okay.
nopixiedust: (insovereign) (I'll always be here to give you)

[personal profile] nopixiedust 2018-08-21 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Wendy is pretty sure that Hibiki rarely does anything with the proper planning, but she's also too self absorbed to take advice sometimes. It's fine. If nothing else, Wendy figures this will be a good learning experience for her... or, alternatively, she'll scramble at the last moment. It's a mystery.

That won't stop her from asking questions. "What kind of roles will there be?"
priforprince: (rose)

[personal profile] priforprince 2018-08-21 11:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's a spectacular period drama." Hibiki likes the way the fireworks explode behind her. She moves so she'll be silhouetted by them as she talks. "A variety of action-packed and romantic roles fill the cast. Of course, I'm the star....but I think you'll find your character compelling."

She means that, too. CelePara Talent Agency all have excellent roles in this film! They will all get to sing and dance. Such is the point of fostering a talent agency - one wishes to see them improve, and offer superior entertainment.

"I'm counting on you."
nopixiedust: (insovereign) (I'll always be here to give you)

[personal profile] nopixiedust 2018-08-22 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
"And I'll be sure to pull through." Wendy grins over the rim of her cup, eyes bright with the fireworks reflected in them. It really is a dramatic place to talk about this kind of thing. Whatever else, Hibiki has a sense of setting.

"Who will I get to be?" The only thing she knows about when it comes to Japanese history is, indeed, period dramas. Will a girl like her be able to fit in one of those?
priforprince: (purple lily)

[personal profile] priforprince 2018-08-22 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"You want to know?" Hibiki sounds pleased, but also mysterious. "Then, I'll give you a special preview."

She leans over, the better to whisper it to Wendy. "You'll be playing my little sister," she murmurs. "A deposed noble maiden."

Have you ever seen one of those "former noble forced to turn wandering swordsman" period dramas, Wendy? Yeah. But you've never seen one starring Shikyoin Hibiki. So this one will be better.
nopixiedust: (insovereign) (He bought me an oreo ice cream)

[personal profile] nopixiedust 2018-08-29 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
She knew that Hibiki wouldn't be able to hold it in. Not entirely, at any rate. Even a little snippet would be good enough... And, as Wendy leans in towards Hibiki in return, she's proven exactly right. A beaming smile spreads across her face, absolutely delighted.

"I can't wait!" Her hands clench before her, as if she can grab the acting date and draw it closer to her. She's not sure if she'll be able to pull of 'nobility' perfectly, but little sister? She can do that, no problem! It'll be as easy as breathing. "I'm sure the costumes will be so fun, too!"
priforprince: (crossed)

itt: pricarus

[personal profile] priforprince 2018-08-30 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
Hibiki nods. "The perfect coords have been arranged. Confronted with the siblings' grand struggles, the audience will lose their hearts to revolution."

She, you see, has kept her eye on the prize all this time. She has to create a movie so amazing that even distant PriPara will take notice. She has to shine brightly enough to cross puniverses.

Aided by the radiance of its surrounding constellations - all worthy, themselves, of laud - the god Apollo will have to become the ultimate brilliant sun.
nopixiedust: (insovereign) (He bought me an oreo ice cream)

[personal profile] nopixiedust 2018-09-04 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
Right, it's this kind of thing... A performance so great it can break across so many different places and reach the home Hibiki misses so much, with the people she misses so much. It's certainly an idea, even if it's not one that Wendy is 100% certain will work. But she knows Hibiki won't be dissuaded... and who knows?

Wilder things have happened in the Far Shore.

So she nods, and smiles up at the god. "Then, I'll do my best to give a great act."
priforprince: (mentor)

[personal profile] priforprince 2018-09-04 11:12 am (UTC)(link)
Hibiki smiles down at Wendy, and gives her the last great present of the evening: "You'll soon know the glory of serving a God of Fortune."

How soon, she has no idea. But surely becoming a God of Fortune and attracting PriPara will go hand-in-hand. What better proof that she is number one? (Kurosaki Shun's follower count aside.)

Satisfied, she then lifts her head to watch the fireworks. Wendy should have a particularly dashing vantage point to admire her god from this position, should she so choose.